Johnston seeking Pct. 1 constable’s position

Published 5:16 am, Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Justin Johnston is announcing his candidacy for Liberty County Pct. 1 constable in the March 1 Republican primary.

Johnston is a native of Liberty and a 1996 graduate of Liberty High School. He began his law enforcement career in 2010 after graduating from the University of Houston-Downtown Police Academy.

In 2011, he joined the Liberty County Pct. 1 Constable’s Office as a reserve deputy.

“It was at the constable’s office that I learned about civil process and all that it requires. Unlike criminal law enforcement, the duties in civil process don’t start until a judge or court has ordered something to happen,” Johnston said.

He went on to add, “The people you deal with aren’t being investigated for a criminal offense. Instead, you could be delivering news that is possibly coming at one of the worst times of their lives. That’s why the constable needs to be a compassionate and understanding servant of the law. While the court’s orders must be carried out, there can be a balance in knowing that our citizens should be treated with respect and their situations are as individual as they are.”

In 2012, Johnston was hired on with the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol deputy, serving all areas of the county.

“I have handled and investigated every type of case from simple thefts and assaults all the way up to first-degree felonies. This has given me a broad range of experience in investigation and case preparation,” Johnston said.

If elected, Johnston vows he will be a full-time constable and employ a full-time deputy.

“I believe it is essential to increase the law enforcement presence in the community to deter crime,” he said. “Living in the shadow of the fourth-largest city in the nation, the constable has to retain the small town feel while recognizing the potential growth pains that are coming our way.”

He also promises to continue building relationships between the Pct. 1 Constable’s Office and other law enforcement agencies in the county.

“I believe it’s also important to have a good working relationship with the county attorney and district attorney’s offices,” he said.

Johnston is asking for votes in the March 1 Republican primary.

“I believe I am the person who can serve the office of constable best, with dignity and integrity,” he said.